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Undergraduate Degree Programs

We offer undergraduate that not only foster integrative knowledge and critical thinking skills, but their application to real-world problems. While our primary focus is on undergraduate education, we offer a high-quality graduate experience for students interested in close collaboration with a faculty mentor.

History Major

The study of the past prepares students to be informed citizens in the world today. Miami’s history curriculum includes courses on North America, Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Our classes range from broad surveys to tightly-focused seminars that require students to “do history.” The history major prepares students to read intelligently, think critically, and write well.

History Minor

Historians record and analyze past and current events of human activity so that we can better understand the present and guide our future.

The history minor is an opportunity for you to satisfy an interest, strengthen your degree, and enhance your preparation for a career or further education.

History BA + MA

  • Get your BA and MA in 5 years.
  • Pursue your passion for history.
  • Enhance your career qualifications.
  • Honors and non-Honors students welcome.
  • Plan now to apply in spring of junior year!

Questions? Contact Lindsay Schakenbach Regele, Director of Graduate Studies

Why History?

The study of the past prepares students to be informed citizens in the world today. Miami’s history curriculum includes courses on North America, Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Our classes range from broad surveys to tightly-focused seminars that require students to “do history.” The history major prepares students to read intelligently, think critically, and write well.

Doing history at this level asks students to move beyond a mere memorization of facts, places, and events. Making the past History requires students to provide meaningful interpretations of the traces the past has left. To do this, Miami’s history classes require students to study primary sources, read secondary sources, and engage in historical debates. We also encourage history majors to study abroad and to integrate their experience with the skills they have learned in their undergraduate classes. History as a discipline is naturally interdisciplinary and we encourage our students to become involved with other programs and departments such as American Studies, Black World Studies, and Journalism.

What Can I Do with a History Degree?

The study of history prepares you for a wide variety of careers. Our top students have been accepted to some of the best History M.A. and Ph.D. programs in the world. They have also gained entry into the best law schools. Many of our graduates have gone on to careers in education, museums, government, foreign service, and business.

Focus Areas

The history curriculum offers multiple opportunities to explore different themes across space and time. These are not requirements of the major but opportunities for you to delve deeply into topics that interest you. We organized the groupings to help you see some of the ways in which our courses fit together.

Health and Environment

  • HST 236: Medicine and Disease in Modern Society
  • HST 238: Food in History
  • HST 336 Medicine and Disease in Premodern Society
  • HST 385: Race, Science, and Disease in the Americas
  • HST/LAS 319: Revolutions and Social Movements in Latin America
  • HST/LAS 360: (variable topic) 
  • HST 392: Sex and Gender in American Culture
  • HST 397: American Environmental History

Cultural and Social Change

  • HST 221: African-American History
  • HST 250: History in Pop Culture
  • IDS 259: Intro to the Miami Tribe
  • HST 290F: 1968: Year that Changed the World
  • HST 315: The Renaissance
  • HST/REL 316: The Reformation
  • HST 328 Italy: Machiavelli to Mussolini
  • HST 354 Modern Chinese History
  • HST 355: History of Modern Sport and National Identity
  • HST 356: Modern Japanese
  • HST362: Era of the American Revolution
  • HST363: Early American Republic
  • HST 367: The United States in the 1960s
  • HST 382: Women in American History
  • HST 392: Sex and Gender in American Culture
  • HST 400: (Capstone) 

Politics, Power, and Money

  • HST/LAS 217: Modern Latin America
  • HST 221: African-American History
  • HST 222: U.S. Foreign Relations Since 1898
  • HST 250: History in Pop Culture
  • HST 275: European Diplomacy
  • HST/REL 316: The Reformation
  • HST 328:  Italy: Machiavelli to Mussolini
  • HST 331: Industry and Empire: Europe from 1850-1914
  • HST 332: Age of Dictators: Europe 191-1945
  • HST 333: Reconstruction of Europe Since 1945
  • HST 354: Modern Chinese History
  • HST 356: Modern Japanese
  • HST 357: Gilded Age America
  • HST 367: The United States in the 1960s
  • HST 371: Native History History to 1840
  • HST 372: Native History Since 1840
  • HST 374: History of the Russian Empire
  • HST 375: History of the Soviet Union
  • HST 400 (Capstone) 
  • HST 472: Germany 1914-1945

Media and Public History

  • HST 216: Introduction to Public History
  • HST 315: The Renaissance
  • HST 252: History at the Movies
  • HST 428:  History through Literature
  • HST 435/535: Public History Practicum
  • HST 459: Historicizing the News

Thematic Sequence

The History Department houses one thematic sequence. (Only for Students admitted prior to August 2023)

HST 3 - Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies

This Thematic Sequence examines Russian, East European and Eurasian history and politics from a multidisciplinary perspective. The Sequence allows students to study the history and politics of Russia and the former Soviet republics, from medieval times to today. Drawing from a range of disciplines and approaches, students have the opportunity to explore historical patterns, and political movements and parties from the 10th century to present. By considering this interaction, students gain meaningful insights into the development of this region as well as acquiring useful perspectives on western society. Because many of these courses are cross-listed, students from many different majors will be able to take the sequence by enrolling in the course through a department other than their major. Take one course from each tier.

Select one course from the following:

  • ATH/HST/POL/REL/RUS 254 Introduction to Russian and Eurasian Studies (3)

And, select one course from the following:

  • ATH/RUS 306 Russia and Eurasia: Anthropological Perspectives (3)
  • HST 324 Eurasian Nomads and History (3)
  • HST 374 A History of the Russian Empire(3)
  • HST 375 The Soviet Union and Beyond (3)
  • REL 337 Religions of Russia and Eurasia (3)
  • POL 331 Communism and Soviet Politics, 1917-1991 (3)

And, select one course from the following:

  • ATH 384 Anthropology of Capitalism: Russia (3)
  • GEO 307 Geography of Russia (3)
  • GEO 408 Geography of the Silk Road (3)
  • POL 328 Politics of Central Asia (3)
  • POL 332 Post-Soviet Russian Politics (3)
  • POL 334 Politics of Eastern Europe (3)
  • ITS 402O Transition to Democracy (3)
  • HST 436 Havighurst Colloquium (3)

Note: Nine hours minimum must be taken outside your department of major.

Department of History

254 Upham Hall
100 Bishop Circle
Oxford, OH 45056